Healthcare

in committee · New York · Senate May 18, 2026

S 5241: Relates to utilization review determinations

Provides that certain utilization review determinations shall be made consistent with medical and scientific evidence; includes services for mental health and substance use disorders as part of emergency services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareIncludes mental health/substance use services in emergency care, requiring evidence-based utilization reviews - expands access to critical care.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

Track

passed · New York · Senate May 14, 2026

S 4969: Requires victims of firearm violence be offered and/or provided psychiatric care

Senate Bill S 4969 requires all general hospitals to establish policies and procedures for victims of firearm violence. Hospitals must develop plans for identifying, assessing, treating, and referring individuals with injuries from firearms, and provide training to their medical, clinical, and security personnel. Upon discharge, hospitals must inform victims about available psychiatric services related to firearm violence and coordinate these services if requested. The Commissioner of Health will provide a model policy for hospitals and identify psychiatric service organizations in their areas.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates hospitals to provide psychiatric care referrals for firearm violence victims, expanding mental health access and aligning with healthcare service protections.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

Track

passed · New York · Senate May 13, 2026

S 9916: Relates to employee mental health services

Establishes an employee mental health services program for all employees who work for the department of corrections and community supervision and all employees of the office of mental health who deliver services to incarcerated individuals overseen by the department of corrections and community supervision.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes mental health services for corrections employees, enhancing staff well-being and potentially improving care for incarcerated individuals.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes a mental health services program for specific employees, directly expanding access to healthcare services.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill establishes a mental health services program for specific employees, expanding workplace benefits and protecting worker well-being.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

Track

passed both · New York · Assembly May 13, 2026

A 8849: Requires the department of health to facilitate the exchange of data between the state prescription drug program and electronic health records

Directs the commissioner of health shall promulgate regulations allowing for any electronic health records integration vendor to obtain state approval to facilitate interoperability between the prescription monitoring program registry and certified electronic health records systems that can connect with any national data sharing hub.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFacilitates data interoperability between prescription monitoring and EHRs, improving healthcare coordination and access to patient records.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

Track

passed · New York · Senate May 13, 2026

S 6463: Authorizes the transfer of pregnant and postpartum incarcerated individuals to residential treatment facilities

Authorizes the transfer of pregnant and postpartum incarcerated individuals to residential treatment facilities; requires annual reporting on the number of such incarcerated individuals transferred.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAuthorizes transfers to treatment facilities for pregnant/postpartum inmates, promoting rehabilitation and reducing harmful incarceration practices within corrections reform.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareTransfers incarcerated pregnant/postpartum individuals to residential treatment facilities, improving healthcare access for a vulnerable population.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

Track

passed both · New York · Senate May 12, 2026

S 634: Requires certain health insurance policies to provide coverage for diabetes and prediabetes screening

This bill requires most health insurance policies in New York to cover diabetes and prediabetes screening at no cost to the patient. It applies to policies covering physician services or major medical coverage, mandating that insurers include screening per national evidence-based guidelines without deductibles, copays, or other cost-sharing. The law affects health insurance companies and their policyholders who need preventive diabetes screening. Coverage must be provided free of charge for all qualifying policies issued or renewed after the effective date.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates no-cost diabetes/prediabetes screening coverage, expanding access and removing financial barriers under insurance policies95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

Track

died · New York · Senate May 12, 2026

S 3100: Provides for coverage for the treatment of asthma

This bill (S 3100) requires most health insurance policies in New York to cover specific asthma treatments and education. It mandates coverage for asthma equipment like rescue inhalers, spacers, and nebulizers, plus school equipment for children under 19. The bill also requires coverage for certified asthma self-management education - teaching patients about proper device use, environmental triggers, and treatment - limited to medically necessary visits after diagnosis or symptom changes. Insurance plans may still apply standard deductibles/coinsurance for these benefits. The policy directly affects New Yorkers with asthma and their families, ensuring access to essential equipment and education through their insurance.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for asthma treatments, equipment, and education, expanding patient access to essential healthcare services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

Track

died · New York · Senate May 12, 2026

S 5505: Requires the development of mental illness training for providers of temporary housing

Requires the office of temporary and disability assistance, in conjunction with the office of mental health and the office of children and family services, to develop a mental illness training course to be utilized by providers of temporary housing assistance to focus on recognizing signs and symptoms of mental illness.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires mental illness training for housing providers to recognize symptoms, directly supporting mental health service capacity and provider preparedness.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

Track

passed · New York · Senate May 12, 2026

S 8395: Relates to orders not to resuscitate and decisions regarding life-sustaining treatment and hospice care

Relates to orders not to resuscitate and the applicability of the family health care decisions act to residents of mental hygiene hospitals patients who lack decision-making capacity.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareClarifies application of patient autonomy laws for mental health patients in end-of-life care, protecting rights to informed treatment decisions per Family Health Care Decisions Act.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

Track

passed · New York · Senate May 11, 2026

S 9331: Relates to access to prescription medication and coordination with workers' compensation board regulations governing network pharmacy use

Codifies certain regulations of the workers' compensation board relating to access to prescription medication and coordination with workers' compensation board regulations governing network pharmacy use; requires the workers' compensation board to file a report on out-of-network pharmacy use within 3 years of the effective date.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill improves patient access to prescription medications by codifying workers' compensation regulations and requiring reporting on out-of-network pharmacy use.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

Track